Intercepting reactions has recently emerged as an innovative approach in organic synthesis, allowing chemists to harness reactive intermediates to access structures and functionalities that conventional methods cannot easily achieve. By deliberately manipulating reaction pathways, this strategy provides a unique avenue to explore unusual reactivities and complex molecular architectures. In this work

Chiral scintillators combining scintillation and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) present a novel avenue for controlling light propagation and reducing optical crosstalk in conventional scintillators. However, quantitative evaluation of circularly polarized radioluminescence (CPRL) and strategies for enhancing performance under X-ray excitation remain underexplored. Herein, we conducted the

The reversibility of zinc (Zn) anode is subject to adverse reactions. Herein we design a dynamic modulation strategy via enol-keto tautomerism to inhibit the side reactions, thus improving the reversibility of the Zn anode. Density functional theory calculations and experimental results demonstrate the keto form of additives can be adsorbed on the Zn anode, inhibiting dendrites’ growth, while the enol

The reaction of DMPO as the spin trapping agent with nitrate radicals photocatalytically generated results in the formation of DMPOX showing a highly specific EPR spectrum. The method can be used as a semi-quantitative and convenient way to detect nitrate radicals in non-aqueous solutions/suspensions, which was never achieved up to now through EPR spectroscopy. Results support in a more direct way

Global demand to reduce polymer waste and microplastics pollution has increased in recent years, prompting further research, development, and wider use of biodegradable and biobased polymers (BBPs). BBPs have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional plastics, with the potential to mitigate the environmental burdens of persistent plastic waste. We provide an updated perspective on their impact

Aquaporins are natural proteins that rapidly transport water across cell membranes, maintaining homeostasis, whilst strictly excluding salt. This has inspired their use in water purification and desalination, a critical emerging need. However, stability, scalability, and cost have prevented their widespread adoption in water purification membrane technologies. As such, attention has turned to the use

A supramolecular receptor for short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates was developed. The receptor displays a cage-like geometry, with a defined binding site for the carboxylate head groups and an opening for the perfluoroalkyl side chains. The anionic guests are bound via multiple C–H···O hydrogen bonds, as revealed by the crystallographic analysis of an adduct between the receptor and trifluoroacetate

Three imino-pyrrole zinc complexes were prepared and applied to the rapid degradation of PLA and the depolymerisation of BPA-PC and PET. PLA alcoholysis proceeded rapidly at a range of conditions, including reflux in air. Remarkable activity was demonstrated for the solvent-free methanolysis of PLA at mild conditions with full conversion reached in 11 minutes at 80 °C. Various conditions were investigated

The synthesis of a wavy mesoporous 2D covalent organic framework (COF) with a 6-nm hexagonal pore lattice (Joa-COF-1) is reported. This has been achieved by the synthesis of a terpyrenyl linker of approximately 2.7 nm in length and its subsequent condensation with a 3-connected non-planar cata-hexabenzocoronene. Joa-COF-1 exists as non-covalent tubular domains composed of π-stacked 4-5 pores 2D COF

Artificial molecular/ion traps afford grand potential in membrane-based separation processes. However, the existing trap-based architectures often confer over-strong binding forces, which severely impedes the release of bound solutes during their transmembrane diffusion processes. Herein, we propose an unprecedented local-ion trap bearing moderate binding force and additional repulsion force in a type

Studying biomimetic hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) base pairing of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) in aqueous solutions using artificial recognition systems can enhance our understanding of the principles of base pairing in natural systems. Here, we report a water-soluble tetraphenylethene-based octaimidazolium cage (1) as an artificial host, which promotes the biomimetic H-bonded base pairing of NTPs

We determine the first solution-state structure of a DNA-stabilised Ag16Cl2 nanocluster using X‑ray total scattering and pair distribution function analysis. We find that the structure in solution exhibits both displacive and rotational distortions compared to the known crystal structure. Additionally, our measurements are sensitive towards changes in DNA conformation, revealing that the DNA scaffold

Theranostic platforms that integrate diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities offer promising strategies for precision medicine, particularly in the treatment of major diseases. However, the development of platforms capable of achieving spatially controlled detection and therapy at the lesion site remains a significant challenge. Herein, we present a dual-stimuli-responsive DNA nanoframework that

Light-activatable prodrugs have been applied in precision cancer therapy because of their spatiotemporal controllability and minimal toxic side effects. However, the reported prodrugs were limited by the ultraviolet and visible light regions, which seriously restricted their application in deep tissues. Developing a near-infrared (NIR) light-activatable release system remains a great challenge. Herein

Manipulation of molecular geometry using photoresponsive units is a powerful tool in supramolecular chemistry, smart materials, and photopharmacology. Current synthetic chemistry offers many responsive molecules that perform such a task. However, the incorporation of various photoresponsive units in a single molecule to achieve several geometrical changes remains scarce, particularly when they are

Uncovering the H2 dissociation and H-spillover behaviors of the generated reactive hydrogen species on catalyst surfaces is crucial for achieving efficient and chemoselective hydrogenation. However, those behaviors remain largely elusive given the challenges of directly observing H atoms, the smallest atoms in the element table. Herein, we explored the Pd site–specific D2 cleavage and the H-spillover

Polymer waste poses a significant environmental challenge with current recycling strategies often hindered by inefficient waste collection systems, high production costs, and limited material recyclability. While extensive efforts have been directed towards upcycling or degrading commercial polymers, as well as developing sustainable alternatives, many approaches remain constrained by their reliance

Strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) can be normally induced by the surface free energy differences between metal nanoparticles and supports. To gain deeper insights into the effect of SMSI on heterogeneous catalysis, we use prototype Pt, Pd/TiO2(anatase) systems to demonstrate different reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction activity changes, especially with increasing the metal nanoparticle (NP)

Isotope labelling, particularly with deuterium (2H), plays a critical role in drug discovery due to its ease of incorporation and its potential to switch unwanted metabolic transformations. Deuterium incorporation can enhance drug stability, affect pharmacokinetics, and alter metabolism pathways. Current deuterium labeling methods focus on hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE), and typically rely on the

Developing highly efficient acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is crucial for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer. RuO2 electrocatalysts, which followed a kinetically favorable lattice oxygen mechanism, perform a preferable intrinsic activity, but poor stability for acidic OER. Recent work often sacrifices the intrinsic activity of RuO2 to enhance stability. The balance

Photocatalytic overall water vapor splitting (OWVS) into H2 and O2 not only owns the potential of avoiding the backward reaction of O2 reduction reaction reforming H2O, but also realize H2 production without available liquid water. However, this attempt is still a blank due to the weak absorption of photocatalysts to water vapor. Herein, we report the first example of visible-light-driven OWVS by combining

The construction of optically pure benzyl trifluoromethoxy (OCF3) compounds continues to present challenges, due to limited enantioselectivity-control or the necessity for OCF3-containing substrates of the only two previous reports. Herein, we have developed a salen-Co-catalyzed enantioselective hydrotrifluoromethoxylation reaction involving aromatic alkenes and trifluoromethyl arylsulfonate (TFMS)

In perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the introduction of an intermediate layer to bridge the transport and photoactive layers has become a key strategy for enhancing carrier extraction efficiency. However, traditional approaches are often limited by the seesaw effect, making it challenging to achieve an optimal balance between electron transport and defect passivation. In this study, we employed a Cu2+-loaded

The valorization of renewable materials is critical to improving the circularity of the chemical industry. This Synergy article describes how lignin waste streams can be upgraded to valuable resources through reductive catalytic depolymerization. The article presents the challenges linked to the upscaling of this process and offers guidelines for performing the process in a successful and economic

Doping of PAHs with boron and/or nitrogen is emerging as a powerful tool to tailor the electronic structure and photophysical properties. As N-doped analogues of anthracene, N,N-dihydrophenazines play important roles as redox mediators, battery materials, luminophores, and photoredox catalysts. While benzannulation has been used successfully as a structural constraint to control the excited state properties

Hollow multi-shell covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with abundant modular interfaces, high loading capacity, and various microenvironments are expected to hold great potential for chemical separation, heterogeneous catalysis, and energy storage/conversion. However, the synthetic methodology of COF hollow multi-shell nanoarchitectures has not been established. Herein, we demonstrate an ingenious “crystallinity

The demand for high-functionality and miniaturized consumer electronics is driving the development of polymer packing materials with intrinsic high thermal conductivity. Herein, a novel vanillin-based liquid-crystalline epoxy monomer (BEP) and three curing agents (ICA-1, ICA-2 and ICA-3) containing conjugated aromatic imine structures were synthesized. The results of X-ray diffraction measurements

Solution-processed metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have been rapidly developed worldwide, with much attention to fluid dynamic, fluid crystallization, and fluid interfaces, all falling within the realm of fluid chemistry. It is widely recognized that the theory of fluid chemistry has been proven to provide an effective means for the improvement of perovskite crystallization and the enhancement of perovskite

Topologically unique chiral noradamantanes were synthesized using a diphenylprolinol silyl ether-mediated domino Michael/epimerization/Michael/1,2-addition or Michael/epimerization/aldol/1,2-addition reaction with excellent enantioselectivity in a single reaction vessel. Three carbon–carbon bonds were formed, and six chiral centers, including one all-carbon quaternary center, were generated, five of